Terrell rotation

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Terrell rotation is the name of a mathematical and physical effect. Specifically, Terrell rotation is the distortion that a passing object would appear to undergo, according to the special theory of relativity if it were travelling a significant fraction of the speed of light.

Due to an early dispute about priority and correct attribution, the effect is also sometimes referred to as the Penrose-Terrell effect, the Terrell-Penrose effect, or just as the Terrell effect.

[edit] References and further reading

  • James Terrell, "Invisibility of the Lorentz Contraction"
Phys. Rev. 116 1041-1045 (1959).
  • Roger Penrose, "The Apparent Shape of a Relativistically Moving Sphere"
Proc. Cambridge Phil. Soc. 55 137-139 (1959)
  • Mary L. Boas, “Apparent shape of large objects at relativistic speeds,”
Am. J. Phys. 29 283-286 (1961).
  • Eric Sheldon, “The twists and turns of the Terrell Effect,”
Am. J. Phys. 56 199-200 (1988).
  • James Terrell, "The Terrell Effect,"
Am. J. Phys. 57 9-10 (1989).
  • Eric Sheldon, “The Terrell Effect: Eppure si contorce!,”
Am. J. Phys. 57 487 (1989).
  • John Robert Burke and Frank J. Strode, “Classroom exercises with the Terrell effect,”
Am. J. Phys. 59 912-915 (1991).

[edit] External links


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